Rwanda, with its beautiful, rolling mountainous landscapes, was best known for Gorillas in the Mist, as the home of Dian Fossey and the endangered mountain gorilla and as Africa’s premier gorilla tracking destination. Following the tragic events of 1994, it has been identified with genocide.
Tour code: TTS 43:

Day 1 On arrival in Kigali, you will be met and assisted by our driver-guide who will drive you to Gisenyi (3 hours) to stay two nights at the Kivu Sun, on the shores of Lake Kivu, at a half-board basis.
 

Day 2:Gisenyi is a somewhat faded lakeside resort which is also a border crossing point into the Congo. The shoreside is lined with crumbling colonial villas. Today it is enjoying a renaissance with its first international standard hotel, the newly-opened Kivu Sun. It is a pleasant hotel, right on the lakeside, with its own private pool.
There is plenty to see and do here: take a boat on the beautiful lake; visit the Imbabazi Orphanage where you can still find the founder, glamorous Rosamund Carr, now in her late 80s; take a drive into the ancient Gishwati Forest; or, when the border is open, cross into the Congo to visit Gomo, site of the volcanic eruption two years ago.

Day 3 An early start for the drive (2 hours) to Kinigi at the Park National des Volcans for the first gorilla trek. On arrival at 08h00, you are met by staff from ORTPN Park Headquarters who brief you on conduct during gorilla tracking. Then trackers lead you into the forested slopes to seek one of the groups of Mountain Gorillas. Reaching the gorillas can be quick, or it can take a few hours. Return for lunch at  Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge where you overnight, all meals included. In the afternoon visit the panoramic twin volcanic lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
 

Day 4 You have your second Gorilla tracking today. If you are reasonably fit, then we advise you track the Susa group on the second expedition.
In the afternoon, you are driven to Kigali (2½ hours) to stay overnight in Hotel Miles Collins, breakfast included.
The Miles Collins is famous as the sanctuary which saved many hundreds of people during the genocide. It is largely unchanged. It has a super pool and rooftop restaurant, and will soon become internationally renowned with the imminent release of the feature film, 'Hotel Rwanda', which is set in the hotel during those terrible times.
 

Day 5 You have a Kigali city tour today and visit the Genocide Memorial Museum before you transfer to the airport for your onward international flight.
Kigali is a small capital city, without many landmark buildings, The city tour includes the old town (Nyamirambo) and Muslim quarter, the new handicraft village and other shops, the Batwa pottery and dance centre and the Gisozi Genocide Memorial. The memorial is very moving – the tour takes a couple of hours - and will be of interest to anyone who has spent some time in this enchanting country.